WCDO Radio News

State Police responded Wednesday night to a 2-vehicle collision on State Route 206, in the town of Bainbridge. A 2002 Mitsubishi operated by 18-year-old Maleek Smith of Staatsburg crossed into the opposite lane into the path of a Chevrolet SUV driven by 53-year-old Joseph Artuso of Syracuse. Smith was eventually air lifted to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, where he was pronounced deceased due to accident related trauma. Artuso and his two passengers were transported to Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney, NY where were treated for minor injuries and released. The investigation is continuing.

State Police and local law enforcement will participate in the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign beginning today. Through Saturday, December 30th. State Police will also be conducting an enforcement period over New Year's Eve, from Sunday, December 31st to Monday, January 1st. Police will set up DWI checkpoints and patrols, Troopers will be watching for distracted drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers violating the "Move Over Law," & they will also conduct underage drinker enforcement details statewide.

Planning is already underway for the 50th anniversary celebration of the 1969 Woodstock concert, and the Regional Economic Development Council awards includes $690,000 for the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, located on the site of the original Woodstock Music and Art Fair. The three-day concert held in August 1969 drew more than 400,000 rock music fans to Max Yasgur's farm in the town of Bethel. Bethel Woods will use the state funding for the 2019 anniversary event, they are also planning the event as a 3-day festival.

A Special blood drive is being held in Norwich in memory of Savannah Williams. Residents of Norwich and surrounding communities are asked to donate blood at a special blood drive in Savannah's memory on Thursday, December 21 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at Holy Family School at 17 Prospect Street in Norwich. Williams died unexpectedly in Geneseo after her car collided with a tractor-trailer; she was a freshman at SUNY Geneseo & was a graduate of the Norwich City School District

Governor Cuomo today unveiled the 3rd proposal of the 2018 State of the State: to invest $100 million to launch the 3rd round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative which is aimed at transforming communities with a variety of economic development projects. The downtown areas will be selected by the state's Regional Economic Development Councils. Locally, in the 1st round, the City of Oneonta won a $10 million dollar award through the Mohawk Valley Regional Development Council; they are currently in the process of the downtown upgrades funded through that award.

Downsville Central School District officials reported that 6 students suffered minor injuries & were taken to area hospital as a precautionary measure, after a crash Thursday morning. Investigators believe that a truck lost control while making a turn on Route 30 in the town of Hancock, and hit a district school bus carrying 31 students. The investigation is being conducted by the Delaware County Sheriff's department.

The Sidney American Legion announced that they would be holding their annual Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday December 16th. Spokesman Larry Halbert explains:

(Larry Halbert 11-29-17)

The Sidney American Legion is located at 22 Union Street; more information is available at 237-4762.

Commerce Chenango is still accepting new, unwrapped toys to fill the Toys for Tots box in their lobby, at 15 South Broad Street in Norwich. Toys for children age's newborn through 12 years old will be accepted through December 19th. Families needing assistance this holiday season may call 607-371-3567 or 607-244-8124.

Chenango County Court Judge Frank Revoir made only a mild adjustment to the bail of Ernest Franklin of Guilford this week. Franklin's cash bail remained the same at $125,000, bond was reduced from $250,000 to $200,000 Thursday, Franklin is accused of planning the murder of his special needs son Jeffrey Franklin & setting fire to the family home to cover up the murder. Heather Franklin is currently out on bail; both will be tried separately next year, according to Chenango County DA Joe McBride.

The Toys for Tots train will make its annual appearance in Bainbridge Saturday, Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce President John Payne explains:

(John Payne 12-1-17)

The Toys for Tots train is also scheduled to stop in Oneonta at about 1:30 PM Saturday.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Teachers' Association is hosting its 7th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair, tomorrow at the Greenlawn Elementary School Gymnasium. BG High School Teacher Amy LaFever told WCDO News that the proceeds would benefit the BG Angel Fund:

(Amy LaFever 12-1-17)

Among the activities from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM tomorrow, will be crafts for children, a Chinese Auction, a bake sale, and $5 pictures with Santa, plus a pancake breakfast in the Greenlawn cafeteria, more information is available at 437-7896.

Santa will be appearing in Unadilla Saturday, with events starting at 9:00 AM with a Breakfast at the Methodist Church followed by Classic Christmas Movies at the Library. At 1:00 pm, The Parade line up on Sperry Street, at 1:30 pm, Santa arrives by Fire Truck at Community Center to meet with area children. Other Activities planned include Musical Performances by Unatego High School Band, & the Unadilla Rotary Club Basket Raffles. The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce and Unadilla Rotary Club sponsor the day's events

The Home for the Holidays Parade Hosted by Destination Oneonta will be held Saturday at 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on Main Street in Oneonta. Following the Parade will be the 2nd Annual Gingerbread Jubilee & Gingerbread Contest in the Foothills Performing Arts Center Atrium. The Inaugural Festival of the Trees will be held in the Foothills Production Room.

The 8th annual Binghamton Train Show will held tomorrow at the American Legion on Robinson Street. The event is sponsored by Village Train & Hobby of Windsor, owner Jeff Olin comments:

(Jeff Olin 12-1-17)

Olin said that about 60 vendors would be set up Saturday; more information is available at 655-1700.

The Jericho Arts Council will have a performance with teh Binghamton Madrigal Singers Saturday evening at 7:00 PM at the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater, Spokesman Phil wade explains:

(Phil Wade 12-1-17)

Wade said that tickets atre avaialebl at the box office at the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater, Tickets can be reserved by calling 288-3882.

New York State Office of General Services announced that a special exhibition at the Empire State Plaza, “AIDS: Art in Protest,” will open today on World AIDS Day. The event is free and open to the public, it will be held at the exhibit space located on the walls adjacent to the Empire State Plaza Visitor Center and Gift Shop. The exhibit will be on display until January 1, 2018

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual “Jolly Holly Days” celebration this evening in Downtown Sidney. The annual Parade will start tonight at 6:00 PM, followed by a Tree Lighting Ceremony, & Santa will be see area children at his headquarters at Whitaker Way.

Tickets are still available for Carol of the King, The Irish Dance Christmas, at the Chenango Arts Council's Martin W. Kappel Theater Saturday night. Council CEO Alecia O’Neill comments:

(Alecia O'Neill 12-1-17)

Tickets are available at 336-ARTS or ChenangoArts.org.

A Chenango County Free Rabies Clinic will be held Saturday in Norwich. The clinic will be held at the Norwich Fire Station at 31 East Main Street from 9:30 to 11:00 AM Saturday.

Norwich Police arrested 55-year-old John Stacy of Norwich for Possessing Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child & Failure to register as a Sex Offender. Stacy is accused of possessing pornographic materials containing children under the age of 16 & failing to notify authorities of his social media accounts within the required 10 day period for registered Level 2 sex offenders. Stacy was arraigned in Norwich City Court & was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $50.000 cash bail pending court action on September 19th.

The Village of Sidney Board of Trustees will hold a special board meeting on Monday, at 7:00 AM in the board room of the Sidney Civic Center. The purpose of this meeting is to approve the grant funding on the Construction of a Full Length Parallel Taxiway for the Sidney Municpal Airport.

The Annual Unadilla Rotary Autumn Harvest festival will be held this Saturday, with a variety of activites planned, Unadilla Rotary President Robert Knox explains:

(Robert Knox 9-15-17)

The event will be held Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Unadilla Community Field.

The Tri Town Regional Hospital's 3rd Annual Health Fair will be held Saturday at Keith Clark Park in Sidney, spokesperson Amy Beveridge explains:

(Amy Beveridge 9-15-17)

The event will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

The 8th Annual Sidney Center Tractor Parade will be held Saturday. The parade will begin at 12:00 Noon, more information is available at 369-9494, 369 9074 or 369 4538.

Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch announced his annual fundraising Pig Roast, to be held at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge. The event will be held on Sunday September 17th from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM.

State Senator Fred Akshar will join Town of Bainbridge Supervisor Dolores Nabinger and local leaders today to officially open the Bainbridge Salt Shed. The $100,000 project will now provide protection from weather and erosion for winter road salt, Previously, road salt had to be stored on the bare ground and covered only by a tarp. Akshar will also help introduce Bainbridge Free Library & Town Hall Theatre's presentation of Jack and the Beanstalk performed by the Tri Cities Opera,

The American Legion of Bainbridge will hold a Chicken Barbecue Saturday, in front of the Family Dollar Store, North Main Street in Bainbridge, from 1030 AM until all sold out. All proceeds will be used to finance Community programs and services provided by Post 806 in the Bainbridge area.

On Saturday, Oneonta World of Learning presents its Grand Opening Celebration. In 2015, the Town of Oneonta offered OWL the use of the Fortin House at 167 Youngs Road in Fortin Park. A team of volunteers & contractors transformed the space into a year-round children’s museum. Saturday’s Grand Opening runs from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM; It is free and open to the public.